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Rita Buettner

Rita Buettner is a wife, working mother and author of the Catholic Review's Open Window blog. She and her husband adopted their two sons from China, and Rita often writes about topics concerning adoption, family and faith.

Rita also writes The Domestic Church, a featured column in the Catholic Review. Her writing has been honored by the Catholic Press Association, the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association and the Associated Church Press.

Enter into the joy of Easter

April 8, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Easter, Open Window

He extends his grace, invites us to feast at the Eucharistic table, and welcomes us home.

A friend indeed

April 5, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, Lent

How fortunate we are to find strength and support in our friends – and offer them our love and support in return. We can be sure that those connections are no accident.

Pope Francis and the Grieving Mother

April 3, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

That exchange with those grieving parents has had a deep impact on my Holy Week. The way the pope holds the mother and reaches out to the father shows such compassion and love. The way he pauses to pray with them as if they are the only people in the world is such a beautiful gift.

A late postcard, a surprise dinner, and our trip to Hogwarts at Universal (7 Quick Takes)

April 2, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Running behind on something? Don’t worry. You’re still doing better than the postcard my sister and her children sent to us last summer.

7 Lessons I Learned at Disney World

March 29, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Our older son traveled to Disney World with his high school band, so we decided to tag along as a family.

A miracle at a Sunday Mass in Connecticut

March 28, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

The fact that the hosts have become Jesus’ body through the consecration is its own miracle. This possible multiplication of the hosts feels like a miracle on top of a miracle—and it fills me with joy.

Praying for healing for our pet

March 25, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

Every morning when I check the cages, I am relieved to see Ron is still with us, ready for his breakfast, looking forward to the day. I hope he pulls through and that he’s not in pain.

An invitation from God

March 23, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

Every year as the Feast of the Annunciation approaches, I think of how our Blessed Mother received the news that she would be the mother of Jesus.

Let’s make another St. Patrick’s Day Parade memory

March 12, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Open Window

For as long as I can remember, the Baltimore St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been part of my world.

A Lenten Search

March 8, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Commentary, Lent, The Domestic Church

This Lent, as we walk toward Easter, we have a beautiful opportunity to ask ourselves what is missing in our spiritual life and spend time just being with Jesus.

This Lent, you are right where you need to be

March 6, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

Some Sundays getting to Mass is trickier than usual, and this weekend, my husband and ended up going to separate services since we were all on different schedules. I was running behind, and I headed to a parish we only visit occasionally.

Launching into Lent (7 Quick Takes)

February 26, 2023
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Commentary, Lent, Open Window

It made me feel as if God was saying, “Just keep your eyes on Jesus, and your Lent will be just fine.”

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